It is hypothesized that the addition of formal cardiac rehabilitation to standard care will result in long-term improvements in cardiovascular fitness and functional capacity in individuals who have suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the addition of cardiac rehabilitation will influence stroke risk, physical activity participation, strength, and quality of life.

Participants in this group will participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation, carrying out an exercise program which will last 6 months and combine both resistance and aerobic training.

Behavioral: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Individualized cardiac rehabilitation for 6 months, including health education sessions, as well as supervised exercise classes which include aerobic and resistance training.

Detailed Description:

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is defined as an episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain ischemia lasting less than 24 hours. Once an individual has suffered a TIA, preventative measures can be taken to target modifiable risk factors, one of which is physical inactivity. The current proposal focuses on the use of an established model of care (cardiac rehabilitation (CR)) and applies it to those who have suffered a TIA in order to maximize physical activity and minimize risk of future cardiovascular events. This will be a one-group pre/post design study. Participants will undergo measures at baseline, 6 and 12 months (cardiovascular fitness, 6 minute walk test, quality of life, diet, strength, physical activity, and Framingham Profile stroke risk (plasma lipids, blood pressure, medication use)).

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 100 Years (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Probability Sample

Study Population

TIA

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosed with TIA

Three months post-TIA

Ability to understand the process and instructions for exercise training and provide informed consent

Cognitive or behavioural issues that would limit participation in exercise testing and training

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00929994